Automatic magnetic separator



Jan. 8, 1929.

A. BURNS AUTOMATIC MAGNETIC SEPARA'TOR Filed Feb. 20, 1928 Patented Jan. 8, 1 929.

UNETEE STARS ARCHIE BURNS, OF DES MQINES, IOWA.

AUTOMATIC MAGNETIC SEPARATOR.

" Application filed February 20, 1928. Serial No. 255,694.

The principal objectof this invention is to provide .a magnetic separator for removing magnetizable bodies such as nails, wire, fragments of metal and the like from granular or 5 impalpable non-magnetic material.

A still further object is toprovide a magnetic separating device for arresting scraps of iron and the like that automatically prevents the metal pieces from passing on into the mill or bin in the event that the magnetic separator ceases to function either by breakage or the shutting down of the power plant.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a magnetic separator that warns the operator when the electro-magnets are not working or vice versa, 1

A still further object of this invention is to provide a magnetic separating device for arresting fragments .of metal or the like from grain that can automatically be cleaned of such bodies without danger of them passing on into the mill or bin merely by the shutting down of the power plant or the breaking of the circuit of the magnetic separator with the generator.

More specifically, the object of this invention is to provide an automatic magnetic separator for removing magnetic bodies from grain or the like, comprising an inclined chute in which the grain travels,'two metal plates in the bottom of the chute in electrical contact with an electro-magnet, and a trap door in the bottom of the chute below the metal plates, designed to be held in normal closed position by the attraction of the plates and capable of falling toan open position when the electro-magnet is not functioning, thereby preventing the released metal fragments from passing on downwardly in the chute.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an autotmatic-magnet separator for removing magnctizable objects from nonmagnetic material that is economical tomanufacture and durable in use.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side view of my device installed collecting the metallic fragments before the "by the numeral 10, supported on which is the 1 enters. Embedded in the bottom of the chute and ready for use with sections cut away to more fully illustrate the same.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of a section of the chute showing the method of holding the trap door in closed position and is taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the electromagnet used in the device.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the cores of the electro-magnet taken on line 4-t-of Fig. 3 and illustrates its inte- IlOI' construction.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the plates designed to be secured in the bottom of the chute.

Heretofore, much trouble has been experienced by operators of grain mills and the like by iron or metal objects passing with the grain into the grinding and pulverizing mills This was especially true of all hammer mills and when experienced, which was quite often, the mill had to be shut down and taken apart to remove the offending cause. Many mills have magnetic plates in the chute for grain reaches the mill, but these devices are not entirely satisfactory because when the magnets failed or the plant was shut down accidentally or willfully, all the metal bodies collected, would be released in a roup and pass into the mill or grinder. I ave overcome these disadvantages as will be appreciated by those familiar with the art.

I have designated the platform bf the mill hopper 11, the grain 12 or other material being fed into this hopper by theendless conveyor 13 or other suitable means. Communicating with the bottom of this hopper and leading to the mouth of the mill 14 is the inclined chute15. To prevent any foreign particles entering the mill, the shield 16 is provided, completely inclosing the mouth of the mill except the side into which the chute Around each of these cores is a winding of 1 a wheel-and the pulley Wheel 27 of the generator 28 is the endless belt 29. The generator 28 is connected to the two coils of the electromagnet respectively by the lead wires' 30 and 31. By this arrangement, when the generator is operating, the plates 17 and 18 in the bottom of the chute will be magnetized and willestablish such a zone of electrical influence that any metallic objects passing down. the chute with the grain will bedrawn to and held upon the plates. Mounted on the landing 10 is the incandescent light bulb 32, electrically connected to the two lead wires 30 and 31 respectively by the lead wires 33 and 3 1, as shown' in Fig. 1. The purpose of this lamp is to act as a signal to the operator and inform him if the generator and the electromagnet is working or not working. Belowthe plates 17 and 18 and in the bottom of the chute is the trap Secured to its free end are two metal bars 36. capable of engaging a projection 37 integrally formed on each of the plates 17 and 18 respectively This arrangement not only limits t e trap door from passing beyond the closed position, but when the electro-magnet is functioning the door will be held in closed position by themagnetic attraction, as shown in Fi land Fig. 2. However, if the generator ails or the mill should cease to operate,

1 the plates 17 and 18 will release the door and itwill fall to an open position as shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 1, thereby providing an openin in the bottom of the chute through which wi 1 fall any metallic objects that might have been held on the plates 17 and 18 and released by the failing of the electromagnet. This automatic feature prevents all the metal objects that might have been on the plates from passing directly into the mill in mass, which would be more damaging than if no magnetic separator were used and the metal fragments could have passed into the mill one at a time. Another advantage of this automatic feature is experienced when it is desired to remove metallic accumulations on the plates. All that is necessary is to shut oil the mill or generator and the door will fall open and allow the objects to fall into the container or vessel 38 placed in such a position as to receive them. This eliminates the necessity of manually ulling the captured metallic objects from t e plates with insulated pliersbefore the mill is shut down. I have desi nated the tramp iron or captured metallic o jects by the numeral 39. Once the door is in open position, it is of course, necessary to move 11; near a closed position an order door 35 hinged at its lower end.

that the plates 17 and 18 may exert magnetic attraction on the bars 36 and draw and hold if'desired, a magnet having three poles may be used.

Although in my drawings and description I have shown a magnet artificially influenced by a direct current from a generator, it is tobe understood however, that other currents and various typesof magnets may be emphyed.

ome changes may bb made in the construction and arrangement of my improved magnetic separators without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

1.' In a \device of the class described, an inclined chute for transportin non-ma etic material, a trap 'door in the ottom 0 said chute, a metal bar secured to said door, a plate secured in said chute and capable of 'engaging said bar when said door is in a closed hinges for securing said door at its lower end to said chute, a metal barsecured to the opposite end of said door, a metal plate secured to the bottom of said chute and capable of making contact with said bar when said door 1s in closed position, and a magnet making contact with said plate for holding said door in 'a'closedposition when said bar is in con:

tact with said plate, and the retaining and holding of. magnetic matter passing down said chute on said plate when said magnet is functioning.

3. In a device of the class described, an inclined chute for transporting non-magnetic materlal, a hinged door in, the bottom of said chute, a metal bar secured to said door, a

metalplatein the bottom ofsaid chute and capable'of making contact with said bar when said door is in aclosed position, an electro.

ma not making contact with said plate for 1101 mg and. door in a. closed position when said bar is in contact with said plate, and the retaining and holding of magnetic matter passing down said chute on said plate when said electro magnet is functioning, and a means for manually bringing said bar in congact with said plate at a distance from said oor. i

4. In a device of the class described, a chute for transporting non-magnetic material, a plate in the bottom of said chute, an electromagnet making contact with said plate, said chute having an opening in its bottombelow said plate, a door in said opening, a metal bar secured to said door, and a projection formed on said plate and designed to extend over said bar when said door is in a closed position for holding the same in that position by magnetic force when said electro-magnet 1s operating.

5. In a device of the class described, a chute for transporting non-magnetic material, said chute having an opening in its bottom, two metal plates in the bottom of said chute, a projection formed on each of said plates and extending over said opening, a hinged door in said opening, two metal bars each capable of engaging the two projections respectively,

and an electro-magnet having its two poles making contact with said two plates respectively for holding said door in a closed position when said metal bars are engaging'two projections, and the'attracting and holding of magneticmaterial on said plates that is passing through said chute.

6. In a device of the class described, an inclined chute for transporting non-magnetic material, two plates secured in the bottom of said chute, a trap door in the bottom of said chute, metal bars secured to said door capable of engaging said plates when said door is in closed position, a metal U-shaped member in electrical contact with said two plates, a coil of'wire around each fork of said U-shaped member, and designed to lead to a generator thereby so magnetizing said plates I ARCHIE BURNS. 

